Meet the man who paints the Angels

Angels fan Kyle Morrissey, 35, of Orange, has launched Addictive Artwork and found an audience who appreciates his paintings of the Angels. <strong>Click on the photo to see more of his work.</strong>FILE PHOTOS, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER

Kyle Morrissey is between careers, canvasses, brushstrokes and inspirations, having made the daring leap to become a professional artist on the Angels' wings and a prayer.

The 35-year-old former Navy serviceman, former hyperbaric chamber operator, former underground utilities inspector and lifelong Angels fan makes his "studio" – he laughs when he uses the word – in the small dining room of his parents' home in Orange.

He props a hand-me-down wooden easel atop a circular oak table covered by last week's newspaper. The warm, yellowish, incandescent light of ceiling's chandelier washes over his latest 22x-28-inch canvas.

On a tray table in front of a credenza crowded with framed family photos, this beefy-armed, shaven-bald man with a mustache sets up a tray table for his artist's toolbox that houses a half dozen brushes and acrylic paints he mixed beside the bathroom sink.

Then, as he does every day and often deep into the meat of a quiet night, Morrissey – in a T-shirt, baggy titanium white-smudged sweat pants and skateboarding shoes -- paints.

He paints Angels, past and present, at a standstill and in the motion of a one-thousandth of a second stay in time. His portfolio includes Rod Carew, Tim Salmon, Torii Hunter, Ervin Santana, Howie Kendrick and Nick Adenhart, among many others, each pop-art-styled with Morrissey's splashes and pools of custom color.

Click through the photos to see Kyle Morrissey's Addictive Artwork.

On this day, his subject is Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos, sprinting, hustling, turning from third toward home, his mouth slack in a breathless moment, his eyes aslant and checking the action in the outfield.

From slab faces come Morrissey's complex geometry, facets of color painstakingly applied with a steady stroke in a night silent, except for the sound of ESPN "SportsCenter" rerunning on 9-inch TV in the nearby kitchen.

"I'm painting this one for Bourjos and bringing about 20 paintings out to Spring Training for the players," Morrissey said. "(Ervin) Santana, (Howie) Kendrick and (Erick) Aybar already have my paintings."

Born in West Los Angeles and raised in Buena Park, Morrissey was artistic as a youth. He attended Cal State Fullerton for a year, planning on pursuing a commercial art degree before enlisting in the Navy.

He hadn't picked up a paintbrush for 14 years when, in 2007, his fiancée, Heidi Rubio, asked him to create a safari mural for their daughter, Kaylah. That project and a woodblock painting of infant Kaylah rekindled his passion for his art.

A back injury he suffered on the job in 2009 knocked him out of work, leaving him with plenty of time. He remembered what his co-worker friends who had seen his doodles on napkins and scraps of paper while he was on a Naval nuclear submarine, in the Santa Ana hyperbaric clinic or the utility office had said all along: "Why are you here? You should be an artist."

As a 2010 New Year's resolution, Morrissey decided to try to make a living as an artist. He launched Addictive Artwork and began painting Warhol-esque representations of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Bob Marley and doing family portraits.

"My art wasn't really getting out there because I was doing what everyone else was doing," Morrissey said. "Then Torii Hunter changed everything six months ago."

Upon hearing that the popular Angels right fielder was doing an autograph signing at an Anaheim Ralph's, Morrissey pulled an all-nighter to complete the All-Star's portrait and bring it to the grocery store. Hundreds of Angels fans waiting in line complimented Morrissey's work, which also caught the Hunter's eye – and Sharpie signature.

"The response was so incredible that the next day I had a new plan," Morrissey recalled. "People wanted to buy paintings of the players signed by the players."

He learned about upcoming Angels' autograph sessions at the OC Dugout in Anaheim, OC Sportscards in Anaheim Hills and at Angel Stadium. He bought 10 canvasses, brushes and paints from Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster and got to work in his parents' dining room.

Angels fan Kyle Morrissey, 35, of Orange, has launched Addictive Artwork and found an audience who appreciates his paintings of the Angels. Click on the photo to see more of his work.FILE PHOTOS, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
After 14 years away from painting, Kyle Morrissey, a former Navy serviceman, former hyperbaric chamber operator and former underground utilities inspector, picked up a brush to paint a portrait of his newborn daughter, Kaylah, in 2007. The experience rekindled his passion for art. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
For the past two years, Kyle Morrissey has tried to get his career as an artist going. One day, he wants to rent a real studio. For now, he's making due by setting up in dining room of his parents' home in Orange. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
In late December, Kyle Morrissey puts the finishing touches on a painting he created for Angels speedster center fielder Peter Bourjos. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey paints every day. He keeps his studio portable, easy to load into and out of his car, because he is never sure where or when he can paint. This is his artist's box of acrylic paints he mixes with his custom colors. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
The painting that sparked Kyle Morrissey turn toward depicting Angels is this portrait of Angels right fielder Torii Hunter. Morrissey knew he was onto something when he saw how Angels fans admired his work during an autograph signing Hunter had at an Anaheim Ralph's during this past baseball season. Morrissey had learned about the signing the night before the event and worked through the night to complete the portrait. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
The second Angel whom Kyle Morrissey painted was pitcher Ervin Santana. Morrissey liked the candid images after the Dominican tossed his historic no-hitter in July in Cleveland. He posted an image of the painting on his and Santana's Facebook pages. Santana's wife, Amy, contacted Morrissey to do two paintings for her family. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Amy Santana, the wife of Angels right-hander Ervin Santana, was the first to commission Kyle Morrissey to do an Angels painting. She requested that Morrissey paint two photographs that Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick had taken of Ervin in the clubhouse after the no-hitter. This is a photo of one of the paintings Morrissey did. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey painted this scene of Angels right-hander Ervin Santana after he hurled a no-hitter in July. Morrissey worked from a photograph taken by Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, who has embraced photography as a hobby. The painting shows Santana standing in front of his locker, “54 Unhittable” replacing his nameplate and champagne chilling in Double Bubble bins. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Angels broadcaster Jose Mota has come to recognize Kyle Morrissey as the artist who brings his work to the ballpark. Mota greeted Morrissey during the August news conference announcing the contract extension of Angels ace Jered Weaver at Angel Stadium. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Once his news conference for his contract extension was complete, Angels ace Jered Weaver went to sign autographs for the fans in the audience outside Angel Stadium. One of the first autographs he signed was on Kyle Morrissey's painting. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Angels All-Star second baseman Howie Kendrick asked Kyle Morrissey to do two paintings after learning about the work Morrissey did for Angels pitcher Ervin Santana. Instead of paying $150 per painting, the All-Star Kendrick gave Morrissey two autographed bats and his “HK47” Rawlings glove. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
“Where's mine?” Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick asks while autographing Kyle Morrissey's painting during a signing at Angel Stadium to benefit the Angels Wives' project, Angels for Animals. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Before being commissioned to paint custom scenes for Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, Kyle Morrissey and his friends head to an Angels game in September to show off his painting of the All-Star. PHOTO BY ARMANDO BROWN/FOR THE REGISTER, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick autographs a Kyle Morrissey painting during a signing to benefit Angels for Animals. Morrissey paints scenes with Angels players and sells his work for $150 without an autograph, $300 with a player autograph. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Angels right-hander Ervin Santana told his Angels shortstop and fellow Dominican Erick Aybar about having Kyle Morrissey do paintings for him. Aybar later commissioned four from Morrissey, including this one. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey received two autographed Louisville Slugger bats from Angels shortstop Erick Aybar in exchange for four paintings. Morrissey shows off a picture on his cellphone of Aybar leaving Angel Stadium with his painting in the passenger seat after a game. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey sold his first Angels painting to Amy Santana, the wife of Angels right-hander Ervin Santana, for $150. He traded memorabilia with Angels shortstop Erick Aybar for paintings. An autographed Aybar bat is in this photo, which also features a pen-and-ink drawing of NBA great Shaquille O'Neal and an autographed bat from Atlanta Braves prospect L.V. Ware. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey of Addictive Artwork describes his style as "pop art." He painted late Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart among more than a dozen Angels. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
After he realized the positive response Angels fans gave his portrait of Angels right fielder Torii Hunter at an autograph session in 2011, Kyle Morrissey decided to focus on painting Angels and getting them to autograph the paintings at public signings. Morrissey paid $125 to get this painting of Hall of Famer Rod Carew autographed at the OC Dugout in Anaheim. The painting, which is available for sale through the Addictive Artwork Facebook page, hangs in the living room of Morrissey's parents' home in Orange. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
A lifelong Angels fan, Kyle Morrissey, who grew up in Buena Park, always appreciated this image of Hall of Famer Rod Carew. This painting was one of the first Morrissey did of his favorite baseball team. The paintings are his tribute. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey painted Angels great Tim Salmon holding up the 2002 World Series trophy. Morrissey sought Salmon's autograph for several days after completing the portrait. Morrissey bought a ticket to an Angels game during the final 2011 homestand and met Salmon, a Fox Sports color commentator, as he left Angel Stadium after his final "Angels Live" broadcast of the season. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey bought a ticket to an Angels game during the final 2011 homestand and met Salmon, a Fox Sports color commentator, as he left Angel Stadium after his final "Angels Live" broadcast of the season. Salmon was impressed with the painting. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey takes a photo with former Angels slugger Tim Salmon after an Angels home game. Salmon liked Morrissey's painting so much that he asked Morrissey to paint one to donate for auction at the next Tim Salmon Foundation Golf Classic. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey makes a studio and a gallery in the living room and dining room of his parents' home in Orange. Below photos of Morrissey's Navy days is a painting Morrissey did in honor of 9/11. Angels Jerome Williams, Hank Conger Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick signed the painting using a metallic marker. TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER, THE REGISTER
Angels pitcher Jerome Williams and teammates Hank Conger, Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick signed Kyle Morrissey's 9/11 painting that he brought to Angel Stadium on Sept. 11, 2011 when the Angels played host to the New York Yankees. "Jerome Williams was so nervous that he signed the painting and wrote the date at 9/11/01," Morrissey said. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Angels fan and Orange artist Kyle Morrissey brings a painting of Angels speedster center fielder Peter Bourjos to Angel Stadium for a 2011 game. Bourjos saw the painting and asked Morrissey to make him one exactly like this one. Morrissey plans on bringing the copy to Spring Training. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos runs over to meet Orange artist Kyle Morrissey and sign a painting during warmups before an Angels game in September. "He was so excited when he saw it," Morrissey says. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey began painting Angels using posed images but has transitioned into painting action scenes like this one of Angels rookie Mike Trout. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Paintings of Hall of Famer Rod Carew and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols hang beside the front door of Kyle Morrissey's parents home in Orange. Morrissey pulled an all-nighter to paint a portrait of Pujols in Angels apparel before the slugger's news conference at Angel Stadium in December. Morrissey says that he plans to put a stadium scene in the background of the Pujols painting. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Beside a framed Monet print in his parents' living room in Orange is Kyle Morrissey painting of Angels rookie Mike Trout hitting his first major-league home run in July in Baltmore. Trout autographed the painting. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey brought his painting of Angels rookie Mike Trout to an Angels home game to have the phenom sign it. He landed the signature and a lot of praise from fans about his work. Morrissey handed out business cards, hoping Angels fans would want a custom keepsake. PHOTO COURTESY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey depicts Angels rookie slugger Mark Trumbo in this painting. At a game late last season, Trumbo visited with Morrissey and signed the painting. He also requested that Morrissey do an action painting of him. PHOTO BY KYLE MORRISSEY, TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH/THE REGISTER
With his painting in hand, Orange artist Kyle Morrissey stood out in the crowd of more than 3,000 Angels fans at the December news conference announcing the signings of All-Star Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey's painting of new Angel Albert Pujols hangs in the living room of his parents' home in Orange, beside toys of his 4-year-old daughter, Kaylah. Morrissey plans on finishing the painting before Spring Training. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Though Kyle Morrissey has focused largely on portraying Angels, the Orange artist has depicted some of his other favorite sports stars such as Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey's favorite football team is the Denver Broncos. A small painting of legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway sits on the mantle in his parents' living room. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Kyle Morrissey did this painting of Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose and had planned to attend a Bulls-Clippers game with the hope of getting it autographed. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Orange artist and Denver Broncos fan Kyle Morrissey painted this scene of Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow stiff-arming an Oakland Raiders defender. Morrissey brought the painting to a Raiders game earlier this season. Fans, he said, didn't appreciate the image. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Recognizing the popularity of the Oakland Raiders in Southern California, Kyle Morrissey painted this Raiders scene during the NFL season. He will devote most of January and February to his Angels work in advance of Spring Training. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER
Orange artist Kyle Morrissey displays the autographed bat and baseball card he received from Atlanta Braves prospect L.V. Ware. In addition to painting Angels, Morrissey would like to do portrait work for minor leaguers. PHOTO AND TEXT BY MARCIA C. SMITH, THE REGISTER

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